With warmer weather finally returning to Binghamton, everyone is flocking to the Spine and the Peace Quad to see — and to be seen in — the sun. If you are tired of pretending you are actually going to work instead of tanning, packing a picnic is a great way to enjoy the sunshine in a productive way. But you don’t have to buy a special basket or read Good Housekeeping to plan the perfect picnic. Instead, take a trip to the dining hall, pick up some snacks and hack your way to the perfect al fresco lunch.
The first step to planning the perfect picnic is finding the perfect location. If you are on-campus, the gazebo behind Johnson Hall of Dickinson Community, the area by the fire pit in Mountainview College and the grass near the basketball courts behind Bingham Hall of Newing College are quiet spots.
You’ll also need to bring a blanket or towel to sit on. Instead of storing your winter blanket in the back of your closet or on a top shelf, keep it accessible. Another important thing to remember as you plan your picnic is that alcohol is not allowed in open containers on campus, even if it is concealed — and especially if you are under 21. It would be really embarrassing to have your picnic broken up by cops over a glass of rosé.
If you are running low on your meal plan, there are plenty of ways to make a thrifty picnic. To save money on soda, be sure to use cups for fountain drinks instead of buying bottles. In addition, when taking food to go, you’ll be charged less if you purchase your meals in the plastic bowls and plates and then transfer it to to-go containers in the dining area. For cheap sandwiches, your best bet is a classic peanut butter and jelly. Because you don’t have to weigh either of those condiments, you’ll only be charged for the bread you use.
An easy hack for a fancier outdoor meal is to make it all about the appetizers. To make an easy bruschetta, chop up tomatoes from the salad bar, combine with balsamic dressing and serve on bagels sliced into tiny rounds. For easy guacamole, cut an avocado in half and mash the fruit in its own skin.
You can easily stir different mix-ins right into the avocado, including chopped onions, peppers or tomatoes. If you are looking for more special options, the Mediterranean bar in the Appalachian Collegiate Center has a solid selection of dips and salad toppings like hummus and feta.
For dessert, a healthy option is to make your own trail mix by combining cereal, dried fruit, salty snacks and candy. Another, albeit less healthy option, is to take two chocolate chip cookies and sandwich some ice cream in between them. Bringing a pint of ice cream to your picnic and assembling the sandwiches when you’re ready is the best way to prevent a melted mess.
Another option, for a dessert-only picnic, is to make root beer floats. For a cool, sweet break in between classes, mix soft serve vanilla ice cream and root beer to a cup and serve.
Grab some plates from the dining hall and some friends from your hall and find your place in the sun.